--- title: Ocean Garbage Removal and Beehive Adoption for Our 12th Anniversary! description: KnowBe4, Inc. partners with Ocean Voyages Institute (OVI) to fund the removal of 12,000 pounds of garbage from The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. image: https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/sus-07-05.png --- [Go to KnowBe4.com >](https://www.knowbe4.com) [![KnowBe4](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/knowbe4-logo-blk-orange-cropped-rgb_fixed.svg "KnowBe4 Careers")](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers) - Locations Locations ** - [United States](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/usa) - [United Kingdom](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/united-kingdom) - [Lyon, France](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/lyon) - [Utrecht, Netherlands](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/utrecht) - [Berlin, Germany](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/berlin) - [Cape Town, South Africa](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/cape-town) - [São Paulo, Brazil](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/sao-paulo) - [Dubai, United Arab Emirates](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/dubai) - [Singapore, Singapore](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/singapore) - [Tokyo, Japan](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/tokyo) - [Melbourne, Australia](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/melbourne) - [India](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/kochi) - Students Students ** - [Internships](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/internships) - Our Culture Our Culture ** - [Benefits](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/benefits) - [Careers Blogs](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs) - [Community Involvement](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/community-involvement) - [Sustainability](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/sustainability) - [FAQ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/faq) - Diversity & Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion ** - [Our Initiatives](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/diversity) - [See Open Positions](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/job-openings) [![Internet Security Awareness Training ](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CareersMicrosite/images/knowbe4-logo-blk-orange-cropped-rgb_final.svg "Internet Security Awareness Training ")](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers) - Locations Locations ** - [United States](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/usa) - [United Kingdom](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/united-kingdom) - [Lyon, France](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/lyon) - [Utrecht, Netherlands](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/utrecht) - [Berlin, Germany](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/berlin) - [Cape Town, South Africa](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/cape-town) - [São Paulo, Brazil](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/sao-paulo) - [Dubai, United Arab Emirates](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/dubai) - [Singapore, Singapore](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/singapore) - [Tokyo, Japan](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/tokyo) - [Melbourne, Australia](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/melbourne) - [India](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/kochi) - Students Students ** - [Internships](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/internships) - Our Culture Our Culture ** - [Benefits](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/benefits) - [Careers Blogs](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs) - [Community Involvement](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/community-involvement) - [Sustainability](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/sustainability) - [FAQ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/faq) - Diversity & Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion ** - [Our Initiatives](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/diversity) - [See Open Positions](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/job-openings) ### Stay in the Know Enter your email address to follow our blog with career advice from our recruiters, team member spotlights, and all the latest updates at KnowBe4! ### Search Our Blog ** [Interests **](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/ocean-garbage-removal-and-beehive-adoption-for-our-12th-anniversary#) - [Employee Engagement](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/employee-engagement) - [Environmental Stewardship](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/environmental-stewardship) - [KnowBe4 Around the Globe](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/knowbe4-around-the-globe) - [Sustainable Business](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/sustainable-business) - [Sustainable Fun](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/sustainable-fun) - [The Seven Rs](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/the-seven-rs) - [Awards & Accolades](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/awards-accolades) [** Back To All](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability) # Ocean Garbage Removal and Beehive Adoption for Our 12th Anniversary! By: **Lael - Director of Global Sustainability** Published: 10 Aug 2022 Last Updated: 12 Jun 2023 [featured-post](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/featured-post) [Sustainable Business](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/tag/sustainable-business) [![Share on facebook](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowbe4_Dec2015/Icons/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/ocean-garbage-removal-and-beehive-adoption-for-our-12th-anniversary&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowbe4_Dec2015/Icons/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/ocean-garbage-removal-and-beehive-adoption-for-our-12th-anniversary&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowbe4_Dec2015/Icons/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/ocean-garbage-removal-and-beehive-adoption-for-our-12th-anniversary&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/ocean-garbage-removal-and-beehive-adoption-for-our-12th-anniversary&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) As an organization, KnowBe4 takes environmental responsibility seriously, so this year, we are celebrating our anniversary by taking care of the ocean *and* the bees.   ## Ocean Garbage Removal It is estimated that there are now 5–51 *trillion* pieces of plastic in the world's oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean—about 1.6 million square kilometers—is bigger than Texas and three times the size of France. According to biologicaldiversity.org, at current rates, plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.  While these are sobering statistics, something can be done about it. For our 12th anniversary (8/10/22), KnowBe4, Inc. partnered with [Ocean Voyages Institute](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocean-voyages-institute/) (OVI) and funded the removal of 12,000 pounds of garbage from The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. | ![OVI 2](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/OVI%202.jpeg?width=1368&height=2048&name=OVI%202.jpeg) | ![OVI 1](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/OVI%201.jpeg?width=1365&height=2048&name=OVI%201.jpeg) | | --- | --- | [OVI](https://www.oceanvoyagesinstitute.org/) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1979 by a group of international sailors, educators, and conservationists with a mission of teaching maritime arts and sciences and preserving the world’s oceans. OVI first started its ocean cleanup initiative in 2009 and has led many successful cleanups, including removing 170 tons (340,000 pounds) of marine debris in the North Pacific Gyre in 2020, and over 91,000 pounds in 2019 from sea and from along coastal areas around the Hawaiian Islands. > *“The ocean is the blue heart of our planet. It is important to everyone, as it provides two out of three breaths that we take. Ocean Voyages Institute’s cleanups help restore ocean habitat. KnowBe4 is leading the way, showing how companies and individuals can be important parts of ocean cleanup.”  > *- Mary Crowley, Founder and President, Ocean Voyages, Institute   ## Beehive Adoption (Year Two) Some may recall that KnowBe4 adopted 11 beehives for our 11th anniversary. Since Knowsters loved our bees so much that we just couldn’t bear to say goodbye, so we re-adopted our 11 hives through the [Pinellas Beekeepers Association](https://pinellasbeekeepers.buzz/) (PBA), and added a 12th hive for our 12th anniversary! Each mature hive, or colony, will house approximately 20,000–35,000 honey bees. That means KnowBe4’s donation is ultimately adding between 240,000 and 420,000 bees to the planet! Said another way, our bees will pollinate about *3.6 billion* flowers a day (yes, 3,600,000,000). According to the Greenpeace website, honey bees—wild and domestic—perform about 80 percent of all pollination worldwide. A single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers each day. Grains are primarily pollinated by the wind, but fruits, nuts, and vegetables are pollinated by bees. Seventy out of the top 100 human food crops—which supply about 90 percent of the world’s nutrition—are pollinated by bees.   ![sus-07-02](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/sus-07-02.jpeg?width=453&height=255&name=sus-07-02.jpeg).  ![sus-07-03](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/sus-07-03.jpeg?width=453&height=255&name=sus-07-03.jpeg)   Some of our staff got to visit our hives and meet with the President and Vice President of PBA. What an amazing experience! ![sus-07-04](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/sus-07-04.jpeg?width=865&height=487&name=sus-07-04.jpeg)   You can check out the Pinellas Beekeepers Association (PBA) [here](https://pinellasbeekeepers.buzz/). The purpose of the PBA is to support the Florida State Beekeepers Association (FSBA); develop and promote Florida's best management practices and other practical beekeeping methods; educate members and the general public to promote the use of honey, beehive products, and beekeeping; act in the interest of beekeepers protecting and carrying on beekeeping affairs; act as a medium for, and aid in, cooperative and mutual beekeeping methods; and encourage PBA members to act as mentors to help others. ![sus-07-05](https://www.knowbe4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/sus-07-05.png?width=865&height=487&name=sus-07-05.png)   Between pesticides, loss of habitat, pollution, climate change, and parasites, bees can use all the help they can get. The good news is humans are able to provide that help. If you’re an individual interested in learning to keep bees, check out PBA (if you’re local), or find a beekeeper’s association in your area. If your company is interested in sponsoring hives or making a donation (and I hope it is!), please [contact the PBA](https://pinellasbeekeepers.buzz/corporate-sponsorships/) or look for a beekeeper’s association in your area. ## Join a team that cares! [![CHECK OUR AVAILABLE JOBS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/241394/3895766b-5933-4c1f-9916-8ef55a4c736b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/241394/3895766b-5933-4c1f-9916-8ef55a4c736b) ## Featured Posts ![](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog/Farm%20527%202023.jpg) #### [Defense in Depth: Why Our Security Strategy Includes the Planet](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/defense-in-depth-why-our-security-strategy-includes-the-planet) At KnowBe4, we are in the business of protection. We spend our days empowering people to make… [Read More](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/defense-in-depth-why-our-security-strategy-includes-the-planet) ![](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog/Employee%20Engagement%20Feb%202026.png) #### [How Empowering Your Team to 'Go Green' Boosts the Bottom Line](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/how-empowering-your-team-to-go-green-boosts-the-bottom-line) The business world is finally moving past the idea that sustainability is just a "nice-to-have"… [Read More](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/how-empowering-your-team-to-go-green-boosts-the-bottom-line) ![](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog/January%20Declutter%20Month%20-%20cover%20photo.png) #### [January Declutter Month - Building Engagement While Fighting Waste](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/january-declutter-month-building-engagement-while-fighting-waste) At KnowBe4, we continuously look for innovative ways to reduce waste, not only at work, but on a… [Read More](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/january-declutter-month-building-engagement-while-fighting-waste) [  Back to All ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability) Locations - [United States](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/usa) - [United Kingdom](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/united-kingdom) - [Lyon, France](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/lyon) - [Utrecht, Netherlands](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/utrecht) - [Berlin, Germany](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/berlin) - [Cape Town, South Africa](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/cape-town) - [ São Paulo, Brazil ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/sao-paulo) - [Dubai, United Arab Emirates ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/dubai) - [Singapore, Singapore ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/singapore) - [Tokyo, Japan ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/tokyo) - [Melbourne, Australia](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/melbourne) - [India](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/locations/kochi) Students - [Internships ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/internships) Culture - [Benefits ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/benefits) - [Careers Blogs](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs) - [Community Involvement](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/community-involvement) - [Sustainability](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/sustainability) - [FAQ](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/faq) Diversity & Inclusion - [Our Initiatives](https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/diversity) ![KnowBe4](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/knowbe4-white-logo_fixed.svg "KnowBe4") [![LinkedIn](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/in%20(1).svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/company/knowbe4) [![X](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/x%20(1).svg) ](https://twitter.com/knowbe4) [![TikTok](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/tiktok-icon.svg) ](https://www.tiktok.com/@knowbe4inc) [![FB](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/fb%20(1).svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/knowbe4) [![Youtube](https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/yt%20(1).svg) ](http://www.youtube.com/knowbe4) © 2026 KnowBe4, Inc., All rights reserved.   [Legal](https://www.knowbe4.com/legal/) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowbe4.com/legal/website-privacy-notice) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowbe4.com/legal/website-terms-of-use) | [Security Statement](https://www.knowbe4.com/legal/security) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/978904139/?guid=ON&script=0) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lael - Director of Global Sustainability", "url" : "https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/author/lael" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-12T15:05:22.591Z", "datePublished" : "2022-08-10T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Ocean Garbage Removal and Beehive Adoption for Our 12th Anniversary!", "image" : [ "https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/Sustainability%20Blog%20Images/sus-07-05.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowbe4.com/careers/blogs/sustainability/ocean-garbage-removal-and-beehive-adoption-for-our-12th-anniversary", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/logo-Aug-04-2025-04-06-48-4870-PM.svg" }, "name" : "KnowBe4, Inc." } } ```